Overview

Gender identity disorder is a conflict between a person’s actual physical gender and the gender that person identifies himself or herself as. For example, a person identified as a boy may actually feel and act like a girl. The person experiences significant discomfort with the biological sex they were born.

What are the symptoms of Gender identity disorder?

Symptoms can vary by age, and are affected by the person’s social environment. They may include the following:

Children:

Are disgusted by their own genitals

Are rejected by their peers, feel alone

Believe that they will grow up to become the opposite sex

Have depression or anxiety

Say that they want to be the opposite sex

Adults:

Dress like the opposite sex

Feel alone

Have depression or anxiety

Want to live as a person of the opposite sex

Wish to be rid of their own genitals

Either adults or children:

Cross-dress, show habits typical of the opposite sex

Withdraw from social interaction

What causes Gender identity disorder?

People with gender identity disorder may act and present themselves as members of the opposite sex.

The disorder may affect:

Choice of sexual partners

Display of feminine or masculine mannerisms, behavior, and dress

Self-concept

Gender identity disorder is not the same as homosexuality.

Identity conflicts can occur in many situations and appear in different ways. For example, some people with normal genitalia and sexual characteristics (such as breasts) of one gender privately identify more with the other gender.

Some people may cross-dress, and some may seek sex-change surgery. Others are born with ambiguous genitalia, which can raise questions about their gender.

The cause is unknown, but hormones in the womb, genes, and environmental factors (such as parenting) may be involved. This rare disorder may occur in children or adults.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of this disorder and want help, especially with anxiety and depression.

Diagnosis

The feeling of being in the body of the “wrong” gender must last for at least 2 years for this diagnosis to be made.

A history and psychiatric evaluation can confirm the person’s constant desire to be the opposite sex.

The person’s partner choices may be same sex or opposite sex.

Treatment options

Individual and family therapy is recommended for children.

Individual and, if appropriate, couples therapy is recommended for adults.

Sex reassignment through surgery and hormonal therapy is an option, but identity problems may continue after this treatment.

Where to find medical care for Gender identity disorder?

Ask our experts on Gender identity disorder

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Diagnosing and treating this disorder early can lead to a better outcome.